After a great performance on July 8th, the Memphis Grizzlies’ top potential rookie from Purdue, Zach Edey, hasn’t hit the hardwood since. In his debut Edey scored 14 points, snatched 15 rebounds, and had four blocks. Early in the game against the Jazz, he suffered an injury to his left ankle. Edey came out of the game, but would return. Since then, the No. 9 pick in this year’s NBA draft hasn’t been on the court. So what could be the issue? Memphis Grizzlies fans are itching for another chance to see their newest seven-footer play.
The Grizzlies are taking proper precautions with their new center. The franchise wants to maximize the potential of Zach Edey. They feel there is plenty of time for him to develop and get reps in. There is still the rest of the Summer League for him to play. Also, there is the playing time he’ll receive in the preseason. Keeping him as healthy as possible seems to be the plan for Memphis. The team played on Friday against the Sacramento Kings in Las Vegas. Center Trey Jamison took the spot for Edey. No one knows as of yet when he will be back on the floor. This is the third game the Purdue center has missed.
Level Of Potential
After his double-double in his Summer League debut the predictions for Zach Edey’s potential are rather high. How he performs from now until the start of the NBA season could determine how he’ll work out with the whole roster of the Grizzlies. On the team website, Jason March, the team’s coach for the Summer League, said on Thursday,
We want him on the floor – we want to see what he can do. Obviously, we’re not going to be reckless, that’s for sure. It was a pretty good turn. We’ve got to be smart. I can tell you one thing, (Edey) wants to play. I have a feeling we’re going to see him again.
After debuting, the odds for Zach Edey to win the NBA Rookie of the Year this upcoming season have skyrocketed. According to FanDuel the odds for him to win it is +600 from +2500. There aren’t many rookies in this draft class that could shine as bright as Edey. Some though are Reed Sheppard, Alexander Sarr, and Zaccharie Risacher, who are right behind the Purdue big-man in odds.
Check The Credentials
During Zach Edey’s time at Purdue he held it down. Let me throwout just a few things he accomplished. Only two players in NCAA history have scored 22 points, 12 rebounds, two blocks, and shot for 60% from the field for two seasons. They were Zach Edey and NBA Legend Shaquille O’Neal. Edey grabbed every national player award for two seasons straight. The only other person to do this was the Hall of Fame great, Bill Walton. The Center’s fantastic college performances have put him in a special category to become more than just successful.
It doesn’t stop there. The top center in the nation got the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award twice. Not since 1960 has a player led the nation in scoring and made it to the Final Four. Only Zach Edey and the NBA Hall Of Fame Legend Oscar Robertson have done this. I’ll wrap it up with the fact that he is the only player in NCAA history to score 25 points, 12 rebounds, two blocks, and two assists per game. As of right now there’s no knowledge of Edey’s return but many are waiting for the next chance to see him show out. Can he measure up to expectations?
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